Last Game
The Reds dropped another game to the Rockies 9-2, losing the series, but maintaining their lead on the losing Cardinals. They’ve now lost 4 in a row.

Next Game
The good news is today’s game is the last of this current road-trip. They’ve gone 1-5 on the trip, and games at home (and against the loserly Pirates and Diamondbacks) are tantalizingly close. They need to focus today, though, and try one more time to beat Colorado. Travis Wood will be the one the Reds turn to, while the Rockies send out Jason Hammel. Game-time is 3:10pm EDT, and the game will not be televised.

Bruce, Nix Still Injured
The report on Jay Bruce and Laynce Nix is still not good.

Bruce is coming around. He swung from a tee 2 days ago and took batting practice yesterday. However, he took it slow, swinging at only half power.

“It felt fine,” he said.

That’s good news, but the day he returns can’t come soon enough, and right now, it’s looking like Saturday at the earliest. Bruce’s loss has been devastating for the offense. He was the hottest bat when he injured his side muscle during batting practice.

As for Nix, he apparently has made no progress in healing his sprained ankle. He’s eligible to come off the disabled list Friday, but it won’t happen. The outfield could certainly have used him a time or two during this road trip. If only Walt Jocketty hadn’t taken an outfield surplus and turned it into a shortage.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds have been in first place for 25 straight days. With their 6-game lead, it will be at least 31 before they could even move to second place, assuming the Reds stay so bad and the Cardinals get super-hot, both scenarios incredibly unlikely.

Last Game
The Reds lost the second game of the Colorado Rockies series, 4-3. Johnny Cueto started and was shaky early, allowing 3 runs in the 1st, which was almost all the Rockies needed. The loss is the third in a row for the Reds, but they maintained their 6 game lead over the Cardinals because the Cardinals lost, too.

Next Game
Bronson Arroyo will hope to stop the losing and give the Reds a chance to tie the 4-game series against Colorado when he takes to the mound today against Aaron Cook at 8:40pm EDT.

Volquez Back with the Team
Edinson Volquez has been called back up to the majors after working on some mechanical issues down in AA Dayton.

He last pitched on Monday, which means he’ll be ready to go again on Saturday, Aaron Harang’s next scheduled start. Harang’s last start was when he blew the 4-run lead against the Rockies and couldn’t get out of the 3rd. So will Volquez take Harang’s place in the rotation? John Fay asked Dusty Baker.

“He could, yeah,” Dusty Baker said.

That means something. Saturday is Aaron Harang’s next scheduled start.

Baker has various ways of answering hypothetical questions:

• “We’ll see” is a favorite.
• “We’re going to talk about it” is popular.

Saying Volquez could start is pretty close to put his name on the lineup card.

I can’t fault this decision. As much as I would like for Harang to return to his dominant form from a few years ago, if only for the remainder of the season, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. In Volquez’ last start, he feels confident he corrected his arm angle on his change-up. He pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and 10 strikeouts. At this point, he seems the better bet at providing a quality start.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
On September 1, the Reds were in first place with a 7 game lead. In the 16 seasons since the leagues were divided into 3 divisions each, the team in first place on September 1 has won the division 13 times.

Last Game
The Reds completed their sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers a couple days ago, thanks to some clutch hitting from Ryan Hanigan. It was a come-from-behind victory that gave Aroldis Chapman his first Major League win. And with the Cardinals losing earlier that same day, the win gave the Reds an 8-game lead.

Next Game
Looking to actually win a game for the first time in a week and to reduce that 8-game lead are the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds travel to St. Louis to start the final meeting of the two teams of the season. Everybody remembers the comments, the brawl, and the Cardinals series sweep that happened the last time these teams met. The Reds have gone 14-4 since then, while the Cardinals have fallen apart and played horrible baseball, going 5-13. Obviously, they’ll be hoping the Reds can provide some life-support to the season. The Reds will be hoping to sweep to take the lead all the way up to 11, which is one more than 10.

Bronson Arroyo will take on Jaime Garcia. The fireworks begin at 8:15pm EDT.

Expanded Roster Call-ups
For the first time I can really remember, the Reds haven’t skimped on calling up players when the rosters expanded. That could be because this is the first time the team hasn’t sucked ass since I’ve been following them, but it could also be because Bobo the Owner isn’t nearly as tight-fisted as Carl Lindner was.

Yonder Alonso, Carlos Fisher, and Corky Miller joined the Reds for the first game of September. Both Fisher and Miller had been with the team previously this year. Fisher had done well and should give manager Dusty Baker a pretty stocked bullpen. Miller was the catcher when both Hanigan and Hernandez were down earlier in the year. He had been moved off the 40-man roster, though, and Russ Springer was placed on the 60-day disabled list to get him back on it. Prized young prospect–and likely trade-bait since he plays Joey Votto’s position–Alonso made his Major League debut with a pinch-hit appearance against the Brewers.

More call-ups are expected today. With the expanded rosters, it will make it easy to re-activate Orlando Cabrera from the disabled list without having to send anyone down. Not to mention that I expect Edinson Volquez will be back up once he’s finished working on his mechanics in AA.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
With the Atlanta Braves losing yesterday, the Reds now have the best record in the National League at 78-55. This would give them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Last Game
Despite passing out a copy of the Joey Votto Sports Illustrated cover, last night was Jay Bruce night for the Reds. He lead the game off with a home run and finished off the victory of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 10th with a walk-off single. Thanks to the Cardinals losing again, the Reds now have a 6-game lead.

Next Game
Aaron Harang returns from a long stint on the disabled list to start for the Reds today. He had 2 rehab starts that were not good at all, so Reds fans will be holding their breath. But wouldn’t it be awesome for Harang to pitch like the ace of a few years ago for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs? If nothing else, he should be well rested. The Brewers will send Yovani Gallardo to the mound. Game-time is 7:10pm EDT.

Chapmania Finally Arrives in Cincinnati
Walt Jocketty announced yesterday that the Reds will be bringing Aroldis Chapman to the majors today.

“We’re going to bring him up tomorrow so he could be eligible for the playoffs,” general manager Walt Jocketty said.

Chapman could have been eligible for the playoffs anyway, thanks to the 2 players the Reds have on the 60-day disabled list. But this makes it definite.

Chapman will be pitching out of the bullpen, like he has for the last few weeks down in Louisville. Relief-work has suited him well. As hard as it is to fathom, he’s throwing harder, with reports of him hitting 105 on the radar gun. And he’s pitching more effectively. In 26 relief appearances, he is 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA and he’s converted 8 of 9 save opportunities.

Who will be sent down to make room for Chapman and Harang has not been announced, but Chapman will certainly make the bullpen even more imposing. Not too many batters will look forward to facing a lefty who can touch 105.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The Reds have had a winning record for every month of this season so far, going 12-11 in April, 18-11 in May, 14-13 in June, 14-12 in July, and 18-8 so far in August, with just one game remaining. The last Reds team to do that was the 1976 squad.

Last Game
It’s J-O-E-Y. My MVP has a second name. It’s V-O-T-T-O.

Okay, it doesn’t quite fit the old bologna jingle, but it’s true. Joey Votto showed his MVP colors again yesterday, rescuing the Reds from one of their worst pitching collapses all year. They got out of the gate early against the San Francisco Giants, building a 10-1 lead thanks, in part, to 2 home runs from Votto, but the pitching staff couldn’t hold it. Just like months ago back in Atlanta. The difference this time is that the Reds came back. Paul Janish drove in the tying run, and in the 12th, Votto drove in the go-ahead win for the 12-11 win.

Next Game
The Reds have a desperately needed off-day today before returning home to host the Chicago Cubs. And they need it. Between the injuries to Brandon Phillips and Laynce Nix and the exhausted and ineffective pitching staff, a day off can do nothing but good. Johnny Cueto will start for the Reds and Tom Gorzelanny will start for the Cubs. Game-time is 7:10pm EDT.

25th Anniversary Celebration of Hit #4,192
The Reds have secured permission from Major League Baseball to officially honor Pete Rose on the 25th anniversary of his hit that broke Ty Cobb’s career record.

Details for the events on September 11 have not been divulged, but Rose will likely be present on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That’s one way to have the stadium full for when the Pirates come to town.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
In the win yesterday, Jonny Gomes finally hit his 100th career home run. He hit his 99th on July 19.